Spy Shots

It's the XFR-S tweak of the Sportsbrake and it promises the best performance of any Jaguar wagon. It gets the 405 kiloWatt supercharged V8 already in the XFR-S sedan, as well as a bunch of body, brake and suspension upgrades to match the power boost.

The flagship is still some way in the future, perhaps in 2015, but Carparazzi has caught a prototype that reveals subtle tweaks to the lights, grille and bumpers, with improvements too in the cabin including new infotainment technologies.

The updated Audi flagship is expected to arrive on the market early next year as a 2015 model, and most of its upgrades will focus on new technology. As these spy shots of the final testing prototype reveal, the updates to the car’s styling will be minimal. In true Audi tradition the visual changes consist of subtle tweaks to the lights, grille and bumpers. We’re not complaining, since the current A8, particularly in its sporty S8 guise, is one the most elegant luxury sedans on the market. The  2015 A8 will feature Audi’s latest Matrix LED headlight technology. This will allow drivers to leave the high-beam permanently on as the Matrix LED headlight, which uses an array of individually controlled LEDs, automatically splits the light beam to block out sections that may blind other motorists. The interior of the 2015 A8 facelift is likely to receive its own set of subtle updates, along with some new technologies including the latest version of Audi connect Internet services, a modular infotainment system and possibly a redesigned instrument cluster. It’s not clear if Audi will be planning significant updates to the powertrain lineup, although we’re still unlikely to see the A8 Hybrid anytime soon. The current 3.0-litre and 4.0-litre TFSI units should carry over largely unchanged, as should the range-topping 6.3-litre W12. A 184kW 3.0-litre TDI diesel was just added for the 2014 model year, so this unit will almost certainly carry over with the same spec. While the A8 will be facing some serious competition from a new Mercedes-Benz S-Class due out later this year, the changes should keep the car looking fresh until a completely redesigned model, possibly based on Porsche's MSB platform and with autonomous driving capability, launches a couple of years further down the track. www.motorauthority.com  

A mysterious McLaren MP4-12C Spider has been testing at the Nürburgring and on some of the German race track’s surrounding roads for the past couple of weeks. Snapped by one of our photographers just a few days ago, it was initially thought this vehicle was being used to test mild updates for the 12C range.According to McLaren, the car is actually a very early test mule for the company’s next supercar, an entry-level model currently doing the rounds as the P13. A spokesman for the company told Auto Express the test mule was running with some of the P13’s mechanicals.This makes sense, as the 12C has been on the market for only two years and has already been updated once. Considering it can hit 100m/h in approximately 2.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 343km/h, we’re happy with McLaren leaving it as it is for now.It’s also natural for McLaren to use the 12C as a test mule for the P13 as both cars are expected to feature the same carbon fibre monocoque structure, called the MonoCell. You may recall the flagship P1 uses a modified version of this monocoque, which McLaren calls the MonoCage.The P13 will also likely come with a version of the Ricardo-built 3.8-litre V-8 fitted to both the 12C and P1, which in its latest application will almost certainly be detuned to deliver less than 373 kilowatts so that it doesn’t step on the toes of its big brothers. The 12C was recently re-rated at 459 kilowatts and the P1 is delivering as much as 673 kilowatts in total, so this would leave a healthy gap between all three.Also common to all three cars should be the Graziano-sourced SSG seven-speed dual-clutch transmission already found in the 12C and P1. In terms of styling, McLaren previously told us the P13 will look something like a cross between the 12C and P1, and be the smallest of the three cars. It will debut as a coupe but will eventually be joined by a convertible.Despite its entry-level positioning in the McLaren lineup, it will still be a highly-capable supercar, targeting the likes of the Audi R8, Ferrari California (and its replacement), a new model from Mercedes' AMG division, and high-end Porsche 911 variants. Look for a debut of the P13 at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, with sales to commence shortly after.Production will take place at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, England, where all McLarens are built, and volumes are expected to be between 2,000 and 2,500 units per year. Together with the 12C and P1, the P13 will see McLaren’s annual production reach the 4,000 vehicle target promised by Ron Dennis several years ago.www.motorauthority.com 

Jaguar’s stunning XF Sportbrake is about to spawn an XFR-S performance variant and we have our first spy shots of a prototype testing at the Nurburgring. The XF Sportbrake is essentially the wagon version of the svelte XF and it boasts a usable 1671 litres of cargo storage despite sharing a footprint with the sedan. The new XFR-S Sportbrake should be launched later this year and come to the market with the same specification as the XFR-S sedan.This means a supercharged 5.0 litre V8 will be spinning the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission and limited-slip differential, plus the aural pleasure of straightened exhaust runs and a conduit for more exhaust noise to reach the cabin.Peak output of the XFR-S Sportbrake should match the sedan’s 404kW of power and 680Nm of torque, meaning 0-100km/h acceleration in around 4.6 seconds and a top speed limited to 300km/h.Clear giveaways that this is the XFR-S Sportbrake are the prototype’s enlarged air intakes up front, 20 inch staggered wheels, chunky side sills, rear spoiler and integrated rear diffuser. In addition to these performance features, the XFR-S Sportbrake will also benefit from uprated suspension and brakes, and sticky Pirelli tires measuring up to 295/30R20 at the rear.Jaguar Australia has already confirmed the XF Sportbrake will arrive here powered by the 2.2-litre four-cylinder and 3.0-litre V6 diesel versions, and the XFR-S sedan will hit our shores towards the end of this year in Australia -- so there's a good chance we might see the XFR-S Sportbrake join them in local showrooms.www.motorauthority.com.au 

It has an all-new crossover body hidden under all the black plastic wrapping on this test car.The new Dualis is predicted to share its mechanical platform with the next X-Trail, although that's all secret until a likely unveiling at the LA Motor Show in November.

The photos show how the car has been slimmed and trimmed to make it less of a heavyweight. The coupe will pick up all the technology from the S-Class sedan and will also still come with a V12 engine for people who don't have to worry about petrol.

This hotrod F- model is being tested, not surprisingly, at the Nurburgring in Germany in readiness for a battle with the upcoming BMW M4 coupe. There are also likely to be trimmed-down IS Coupes that build from a body that's slightly wider and longer than the new four-door model. Here in 2014 for around $160,000.

This camouflage-free test car is caught by Carparazzi, which is still predicting 405 kiloWatts of power from the latest development of the flat-six in the tail.

Land Rover is not done yet with the launch of new variants of its Range Rover SUV. These latest spy shots show a long-wheelbase version testing, a vehicle that we’ve known about for more than a year.Fans of the original Range Rover may recall the long-wheelbase Vogue LSE from the early 1990s, a name that Land Rover may revive for this latest version.Expected to be the most expensive Range Rover, the long-wheelbase model will target China’s chauffeur-driven class but we could see it proving popular in the Middle East and other markets.As confirmed by the spy shots, most of the extra length can be found in the rear doors, although it appears the rear overhang is slightly longer than on the regular Range Rover as well. This should translate into more legroom in the rear and additional storage. It’s possible a third-row seating option will be available, though we suspect most buyers will fill that space with optional reclining seats.Despite the Range Rover LWB’s increased proportions, its overall weight will likely still be less than the previous steel-chassis regular wheelbase model, thanks to the Range Rover’s Jaguar-derived alumium chassis construction.Powertrains should match those found in the regular Range Rover. This means supercharged V6 and V8 petrol engines, plus V6 and V8 turbodiesels.Speaking of diesels, Land Rover will unveil new diesel-electric hybrid versions of the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show in September. It’s almost certain the ultra-frugal powertrain option will be offered in the long-wheelbase Range Rover as well. Stay tuned for a reveal of the latest luxury SUV in the coming months and look for a market launch before the year is out.www.motorauthority.com